Sixty-four years after establishing diplomatic relations with Bénin, Canada has officially opened its first permanent embassy in Cotonou. The grand opening ceremony, held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, was presided over by the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Anita Anand, who was on a working visit to Bénin. She was joined by her Beninese counterpart, Ms. Corinne Amori Brunet, members of the diplomatic corps, and Mr. Hugues Oscar Lokossou, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Mobilizing External Resources and Debt Management.

This historic inauguration represents a significant step forward, reflecting the strong bonds of friendship between the two nations and their shared ambition to elevate their cooperation to new heights. Establishing a fully operational embassy in Cotonou will facilitate enhanced political dialogue, ensure more direct oversight of bilateral commitments, and strengthen collaboration across various strategic sectors.

« Canada is committed to working with Bénin, and today we are injecting new momentum into this relationship, » declared the Honourable Anita Anand, the Canadian Minister. Her Beninese counterpart, Ms. Corinne Amori Brunet, emphasized that the embassy’s opening concretizes a deeper rapprochement and an intensification of ties between Bénin and Canada. « Our cooperation is growing richer. It is diversifying. It is investing more heavily in the economy, in innovation, in security, and in human development—values dear to both Bénin and Canada, » underscored Bénin’s chief diplomat.

Earlier on the same Wednesday morning, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and her Beninese counterpart, Corinne Amori Brunet, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political and diplomatic consultations. This document establishes a permanent framework for dialogue, designed to deepen political engagement, ensure regular follow-up on bilateral commitments, and enhance coordination on major regional and international issues.

An expanded working session also convened Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade, responsible for Industry and Private Investment Promotion; Mr. Gildas Agonkan, Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic, responsible for National Defense; and Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for Mobilizing External Resources and Debt Management.